Changes in the Board Members for the 2019-2020 Program Year

On July 7, 2019, the Hon. Bambi Moyer, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court for the 2019-2020 program year resigned. Per the bylaws, the President-Elect assumed office as President and the Vice President assumed office as President-Elect.

At the July 8, 2019 board meeting, the Board appointed Abram Feuerstein as the Vice President, Hon. Jennifer Gerard as the Secretary-Treasurer, Stefanie Field as the Financial Secretary and Hon. Randall Stamen as member-at-large.

The 2019-2020 Board Members are as follows:

President:  Sophia Choi

President-Elect:  Hon. Eric Keen

Vice President:  Abram Feuerstein

Secretary-Treasurer: Hon. Jennifer Gerard 

Financial Secretary:  Stefanie Field

Members-At-Large:  Hon. Randall Stamen, Gabriel White, Kiki Manti Engel

Past President:  L. Alexandra Fong

2019-2020 Board Members Take Office

On July 1, 2019, the 2019-2020 Board Members of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court officially took office. The Board is as follows:

President:  Hon. Bambi Moyer

President-Elect:  Sophia Choi

Vice President: Hon. Eric Keen

Secretary-Treasurer:  Abram Feuerstein

Financial Secretary:  Hon. Jennifer Gerard

Members-At-Large:  Stefanie Field, Gabriel White, Kiki Manti Engel

Past President:  L. Alexandra Fong

May 22, 2019 Dinner Meeting and Announcements

At the final meeting of the 2018-2019 Program Year, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, L. Alexandra Fong, welcomed the members and introduced special guests as follows:

• Caryn Worcester, Director of Chapter Relations for the Western Region of the American Inns of Court;

• Brian Unitt of Holstein of Taylor & Unitt

Ms. Fong announced the recipient of the Terry Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award. The Terry D. Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award honors an attorney for his or her professional accomplishments and contributions to the legal community. The criteria for being nominated for this award is as follows: 

• The attorney exemplifies and demonstrates exceptional and superior legal and professional skills and conduct. 

• The attorney participates in programs improving the legal profession and system of justice. 

• The attorney gives back to the community-at-large.

The recipient of the award for the 2018-2019 program year is Brian Unitt of Holstein, Taylor & Unitt. Brian is the chair of the Project Graduate Steering Committee, which helps foster children graduate from high school with a plan for the future. After accepting the award, Brian made a few remarks.

Brian Unitt, recipient of the 2018-2019 Terry Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award, and L. Alexandra Fong, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court.

The members were reminded that elections for the three (3) open attorney positions on the 2019-2020 Board of Directors was open. Four candidates - Kiki Manti Engel, Stefanie Field, Diana Renteria, and Gabriel White - spoke about why they wanted to be members of the Board of Directors.

After the Community Service Team presented on the projects they were involved with during the 2018-2019 program year, Ms. Fong made additional announcements.

The recipients of the Louise Biddle Book Award were named. The Biddle Book Award is given to an outstanding attorney who exemplifies the goals of the Inn and for her professionalism and dedication to the legal community. The award is in memory of Louise Biddle, former executive director of the Inn and the Riverside County Bar Association. 

Laurie Burns (Juvenile Defense Panel - Riverside) and Goushia Farook (Law Offices of Shauna M. Albright) were chosen by the Board of Directors to be the recipients of the Louise Biddle Book Award for the 2018-2019 program year. Each attorney received a copy of Justice in Plain Sight: How A Small Town Newspaper and Its Unlikely Lawyer Opened America’s Courtrooms. The book was autographed by author Dan Bernstein, editor Mel Opotowsky, and their “unlikely lawyer” Justice James Ward (Ret.).

Cover of the Book

Goushia Farook, Laurie Burns, and L. Alexandra Fong (L-R)

Election Winners: The newest members of the Board of Directors are: Kiki Manti Engel, Stefanie Field, and Gabriel White. Congratulations!

Hon. Bambi Moyer, President-Elect of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court, presented Ms. Fong with an award for her service to the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court.

Hon. Bambi Moyer, President-Elect, and L. Alexandra Fong, President of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court for the 2018-2019 Program Year.

May 22, 2019 Presentation

Team Louis Auchincloss presented its program on the Community Service projects the team did during the 2018-2019 program year. The team consists of Hon. Dorothy McLaughlin (Judicial Master), Hon. Jennifer Gerard (Judicial Master), Robyn Lewis (Attorney Master), Elisabeth Lord (Attorney Master), Erica Alfaro (Associate), Aaron Chandler (Associate), Megan Demshki (Associate), Goushia Farook (Associate), Andrew Salera (Associate), Ruthann Salera (Associate), and Taylor Warner (Associate).

Community Service projects included participating in educational programs with local schools to include topics on bullying and sexting, taking a tour of various courthouses in Riverside, “Clean Up Riverside” in May 2019, and Youth Court. Guest presenters from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and Riverside County Probation Department discussed Youth Court in detail. Members are encouraged to sign up to volunteer with Youth Court, which meets once a month on Wednesday evenings.

The Riverside Youth Court partnership includes the Riverside Youth Council, Office of the Mayor, Riverside Police Department, (the administrating agency), Riverside County Juvenile Court, Riverside County Probation Department, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, Riverside County Public Defender’s Office, Riverside Unified School District, Alvord Unified School District, Riverside County Bar Association, and the Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce.

After the presentation, the members of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court cast their vote regarding the program to determine whether it would win Best Team Presentation. Good luck Team Louis Auchincloss!

Project Graduate Fundraiser on May 10, 2019

Riverside County Bar Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”), a 501(c)(3) corporation and charitable arm of Riverside County Bar Association (“RCBA”) is holding a fundraiser on Friday, May 10, 2019.

Members of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court are also members of RCBA and the Foundation. Several of its members are involved with Project Graduate.

Details are in the flyer.

Riverside County Bar Association Barristers honors Hon. Jackson Lucky IV and Robyn Lewis

Riverside County Bar Association (RCBA) Barristers honors former Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court Judicial Master and Past President (2013-2014) Hon. Jackson “Jack” Lucky IV and current Leo. A. Deegan Inn of Court Attorney Master and Past President (2012-2013) Robyn Lewis at their Judicial Reception on May 2, 2019. Details are contained within the attached flyer.

The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court presents The Magic Mirror and the Seven Privileges

Team Franz Kafka presents its take on Snow White by The Brothers Grimm in The Magic Mirror and the Seven Privileges.

March 27, 2019 MCLE

Team Washington Irving discussed Jack and the Beanstalk by Joseph Jacobs in its presentation. The team members are Judicial Master Irma Asberry, Attorney Master Marlene Allen, Barrister Sylvia Choi, Barrister Chris Heikaus Weaver, and Associate Gareit Newstrom. Special guest John Boyd also presented with the team.

The program began with a short clip, showing the story a version of Jack and the Beanstalk (there are multiple versions.)

Judge Asberry moderated the program, which focused on ethics, civility and professionalism when dealing with several scenarios involving the named partner of the firm (Mr. Ogre, portrayed by Mr. Boyd) who was sexually harassing young associates and experiencing dementia. Additional scenarios presented were Jack, a longtime associate of the firm, leaving to start his own firm, taking clients with him, and settling their cases without consent, as well as the Golden Hen padding her billing.

The program was presented in the style of the game show “Family Feud.”

Each team member portrayed characters within Jack and the Beanstalk, complete with a costume for the golden hen.

The Golden Hen

Audience members participated in answering questions in the final round of “Family Feud.”

After the presentation concluded, votes were cast as to how Team Washington Irving ranked for its presentation on Jack and the Beanstalk by Joseph Jacobs. Results of the votes will be announced at the September 2019 Meeting of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court.

March 27, 2019 Dinner Meeting and Announcements

On March 27, 2019, the fourth meeting of the Leo A. Deegan American Inn of Court was held. President L. Alexandra Fong welcomed the members and also introduced the guests of Inn members who were interested in learning more about the Inn. These guests were as follows:

• John Boyd, guest of Hon. Irma Asberry and Team Washington Irving

• Kamola Gray, guest of Goushia Farook

Ms. Fong made the following announcements to the membership:

• Nominations are being sought for the Terry Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award. Please submit your nomination by April 15, 2019 to Sherri Gomez and the President of the Deegan Inn;

• A vacancy will exist for an attorney Board member position. Please submit your interest by May 15, 2019 to Sherri Gomez and the President of the Deegan Inn;

• The April 24, 2019 Meeting will be our Inn’s final “Theme Night.” At this meeting, as part of the Inn’s professional outreach, Emeritus, Honorary Members and Alumni will be honored.

• Project Graduate is holding its Spring Fling fundraiser and seeking sponsors and attendees. Details are on the flyer on the back table.

Team Washington Irving will be presenting on Jack and the Beanstalk.

March 26, 2019 Joint Inn Meeting

On March 26, 2019, the Honorable Joseph B. Campbell American Inn of Court (San Bernardino) hosted the Joint Meeting of the four (4) Inland Empire Chapters of the American Inn of Court. Members of the Leo A. Deegan American Inn of Court (Riverside), Warren Slaughter-Richard Roemer American Inn of Court (Desert), and Southwest American Inn of Court (Southwestern Riverside County) were present.

Those present on behalf of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court were as follows: L. Alexandra Fong (Atttorney Master and President), Abram Feuerstein (Attorney Master and Member-at-large of the Board of Directors), Hon. Bambi Moyer (Judicial Master and President-Elect), Hon. Randall Stamen (Judicial Master), Mary Anne Forrest (Attorney Master), Chris Heikaus Weaver (Barrister), Diana Renteria (Barrister), Mark Mellor (Barrister), Peter Mort (Emeritus), Jean-Simon Serrano (Barrister), and Gabriel White (Barrister).

Nick Hanna, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California is the featured speaker.

(L-R) Joseph Widman (Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and President-Elect of the Honorable Joseph B. Campbell American Inn of Court). Hon. Antoine “Tony” Raphael (San Bernardino Superior Court Judge), and Abram Feuerstein (Assistant U.S. Trustee for the Region 16 of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California and Member-at-large of the Leo A. Deegan American Inn of Court).

(L-R) Joseph Widman (Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and President-Elect of the Honorable Joseph B. Campbell American Inn of Court). Hon. Antoine “Tony” Raphael (San Bernardino Superior Court Judge), and L. Alexandra Fong, President of the Leo A. Deegan American Inn of Court

Nick Hanna, United States Attorney for the Central District of California, was the featured speaker. He opened his speech with jokes about the college admission scandal and arresting “Aunt Becky” from “Full House.”

Nick Hanna, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California

Mr. Hanna spoke about the history of the Central District of California and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this district. The Eastern Division of the district is larger than all other divisions combined and accounts for 25% of the population. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California is the second largest office in the country, only behind Washington DC.

His priorities as U.S. Attorney include increasing the footprint of the Inland Empire by hiring new Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Riverside branch office and increase filings in the region, hoping to spark an increase of U.S. District judges for this area. The Eastern Division of the Central District of California only has one full time U.S. District Judge so many of the cases are being heard in Santa Ana and Los Angeles, creating a hardship for witnesses.

Mr. Hanna spoke about two programs which he is focused on: Operation Safe Neighborhoods, to combat gun crimes, and Operation Hypocritical Oath, to combat the opioid crisis by locking up “dirty doctors” and shutting down “crooked pharmacies.”

As U.S. Attorney, he created the National Security Division for the district, which started operations approximately two months prior to the terrorist attacks in San Bernardino.

After his speech, Mr. Hanna answered questions from the audience, moderated by Jack Osborn, past president of the Honorable Joseph B. Campbell American Inn of Court. These questions related to the prosecution of crimes relating to marijuana usage (still an illegal substance under federal law), the office’s autonomy, the names of his operations (created by law enforcement), and other priorities.

(L-R) David Collela (President of the Honorable Joseph B. Campbell American Inn of Court), Jack Osborn (Past President of the Honorable Joseph B. Campbell American Inn of Court), Nick Hanna (U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California), and Joseph Widman (Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and President-Elect of the Honorable Joseph B. Campbell American Inn of Court)

The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court presents Jack and the Beanstalk

Team Washington Irving presents its take on Jack and the Beanstalk by Joseph Jacobs.

March 26, 2019 Joint Inn Meeting Announcement

The Honorable Joseph B. Campbell American Inn of Court (San Bernardino) will be hosting the Joint Meeting of the Inland Empire Chapters of the American Inn of Court on Tuesday, March 26, 2019. Details are in the flyer below.

Chamber Chats #3 - Evidence with a Criminal Law Emphasis

On January 29, 2019, during the lunch hour in Courtroom 54 of the Robert Presley Hall of Justice, located at 4100 Main Street, Riverside, California, Hon. Jacqueline Jackson, Hon. Bambi Moyer, and Hon Meredith Jury (Retired) presented the third, and final, Chamber Chats for the 2018-2019 program year.

The Chamber Chats discussed methods to introduce evidence into your cases, hearsay exceptions, and methods of obtaining evidence (subpoena duces tecum and warrants). Plentiful handouts were provided: Hearsay Exception Quik Chart, Analyzing Character Evidence in Criminal Cases and The Criminal Law Evidence Matrix.

Comparisons were made between the California Evidence Code and the Federal Rules of Evidence. The members and potential member (law student intern) learned a lot about the subject.

Thank you Hon. Jacqueline Jackson, Hon. Bambi Moyer, and Hon Meredith Jury (Retired) for your informative discussion!

January 23, 2019 MCLE Presentation

Team Erle Stanley Gardner discussed Cinderella by The Brothers Grimm in its presentation Cinderella: The Case of the Golden Slipper. The team members are Judicial Master Jacqueline Jackson, Attorney Master Mary Anne Forrest, Attorney Master Wendy Seto, Barrister Kelly Moran, Associate Everett Green, and Associate Michelanne Hrubic.

Judge Jackson moderated the program, which began with Attorney Master Wendy Seto providing a press release concerning Cinderella’s lawsuit. Cinderella (Aschenputtel) was portrayed by Attorney Master Mary Anne Forrest. Barrister Kelly Moran provided comments as attorney for the County. Audience members (aka reporters) asked questions of the panel.

The second vignette featured Associate Michelanne Hrubic, soliciting a potential action from Cinderella (Attorney Master Mary Anne Forrest). The attorney was paid $1500 to research issues involving Cinderella’s emancipation, by the Prince. After this consultation, Cinderella was advised that, in order to proceed with the paperwork, it would cost an additional $5000. When Cinderella said she was unable to pay that amount, she was given a business card for Legal Grinder and told to mention the attorney’s name when consulting with them. Questions were asked of the audience.

The final vignette featured Associate Everett Green as a “counselor” at Legal Grinder. He assured Cinderella that all she had to do was answer questions in their proprietary software program to find out her next steps. When questioned about whether he was an attorney, Mr. Green replied he was not and that he was not practicing law since “the program” would be the one to provide advice.

After the presentation concluded, votes were cast as to how Team Erle Stanley Gardner ranked for its presentation on Cinderella by The Brothers Grimm. Results of the votes will be announced at the September 2019 Meeting of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court.

January 23, 2019 Dinner Meeting and Announcements

On January 23, 2019, the third meeting of the Leo A. Deegan American Inn of Court was held. President L. Alexandra Fong welcomed the members and also introduced the public service (government) attorneys who accepted the Inn’s invitation to join us for our Government Attorneys Theme Night, as part of the Inn’s professional outreach efforts. These public service attorneys are identified as follows:

• Joseph (Joe) Widman, Assistant United States Attorney, Chief of the Riverside Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office

• Martin D. Koczanowicz, City Attorney for the City of Moreno Valley

• Michael (Mike) Hestrin, Riverside County District Attorney

• John Aki, Riverside County Chief Assistant District Attorney

In addition to these public service attorneys, the Deegan Inn was delighted to welcome Emeritus Members Hon. Carol Codrington, Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeals, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two, and James Heiting, former President of the State Bar of California.

Ms. Fong made the following announcements to the membership:

• The next Chamber Chats is scheduled for Tuesday, January 29, 2019 in Courtroom 54 of the Robert Presley Hall of Justice from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.;

• The Hon. Kenneth Fernandez will be having his formal enrobement ceremony on Friday, February 8, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse, located at 4000 Main Street, Riverside, California. The last day to RSVP is February 1, 2019 to CourtExecutiveOfficer@riverside.courts.ca.gov;

• Nominations are being sought for the Terry Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award. Please submit your nomination by April 15, 2019 to Sherri Gomez and the President of the Deegan Inn;

• A vacancy will exist for an attorney Board member position. Please submit your interest by May 15, 2019 to Sherri Gomez and the President of the Deegan Inn;

• The Joint Meeting of the Inland Empire chapters of the American Inns of Court, hosted by The Honorable Joseph B. Campbell Inn of Court is upcoming, with the date, time and location to be announced at a later date.

The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court presents Cinderella: The Case of the Golden Slipper

Hon. Kenneth J. Fernandez's Formal Enrobement Ceremony

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all our members!

Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court Members Participate in Community Outreach

In December 2018, members of the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court participated in community outreach efforts as follows:

From mid-November 2018 to the present, members participated as Money Elves for The Elves Program, a program of Riverside County Bar Foundation, Inc., the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of Riverside County Bar Association (RCBA).  All Inn members are required to be members of RCBA and MCLE credits at Inn meetings are provided by RCBA.  Money Elves provide the funds utilized by The Elves Program to shop for gifts requested by needy families in Riverside County.  The Elves Program was able to assist sixty-nine (69) families in Riverside County with the assistance of Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court’s generous members, including, but not limited to Hon. Meredith Jury (Ret.), Diana Renteria, Stefanie Field (Gresham & Savage) Megan Demshki (Aitken Aitken Cohn), and Rabia Chaudhry (Varner & Brandt).

On December 10, 2018, members participated as Shopping Elves and met at the K-Mart, located at 7840 Limonite Avenue, Riverside, California, beginning at 5:00 p.m.  Each Shopping Elf was provided a shopping list for a family chosen by former RCBA president and Head Elf, Brian Pearcy and a set amount of funds to fulfill the shopping lists of the family.  At least sixty families were assisted and, depending on how quickly each elf shopped, they could shop for multiple families.

Inn President L. Alexandra Fong and Inn members Diana Renteria and Erica Alfaro (with her family) were spotted shopping.  Additional members may have also been present but as each elf came at different times, it was difficult to find them all.

Inn President L. Alexandra Fong, Inn Member Diana Renteria, Hon. Sunshine Sykes and daughter

Inn member Erica Alfaro and family checks in and receives their shopping list.

Shopping Elves

On December 12, 2018 and December 13, 2018, members participated as Wrapping Elves and met at RCBA’s building, located at 4129 Main Street, Riverside, California, beginning at 4:00 p.m. 

Inn President L. Alexandra Fong and Inn members Aaron Chandler (with his family), Megan Demshki, Rabia Chaudhry, Erica Alfaro, and Goushia Farook were spotted wrapping gifts.  Additional members may have also been present, but as each elf came at different times and there were multiple rooms in which gifts were wrapped, it was hard to spot them all.

Inn member Aaron Chandler (second from left) with his family.

Inn members Megan Demshki, Goushia Farook, and Erica Alfaro (second, third and fourth from left) with their friends.

Inn member Rabia Chaudhry (right) takes a break from wrapping gifts to pose for a picture.

On December 13, 2018, Varner & Brandt LLP, the law firm where Inn member Rabia Chaudhry is employed as an associate attorney, announced that, in coordination with the Inn of Court, RCBA Foundation and the RCBA Barristers, Varner & Brandt LLP and Stater Bros. Markets teamed up to donate all the Stater Bros. gifts cards that were typically purchased by the RCBA Foundation in previous years to help the families with Christmas dinner!  These efforts assisted in the RCBA Foundation sponsoring a record number of families this year than in the past.

The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court members enjoyed spreading holiday cheer in December 2018.

Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court donates to Semper Fi Foundation in honor of Emeritus David G. Moore

As you may recall, Emeritus member David G. Moore passed away in August 2018 (see blog post dated August 22, 2018). The Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court donated $500 to the Semper Fi Foundation, in honor of our Emeritus member, as requested by his family.